Gregory External frame part Deux:

Found another example of the ALICE/NICE style external I found earlier:

This time an ALICE pack was kindly included in the pictures.

eBay find: Custom ALICE panel

Appears to be a custom or small-batch MOLLE panel for an ALICE frame, no brand or label mentioned in the auction.

What I find most interesting is the shape of the pad on the suspension side, it has more coverage then nearly anything else I've seen slipped over the ol' girl's shoulders:

eBay find: T3 Tora Bora Pack

The trizip is spreading.

I assume this pack has been out for awhile but I only here about most things when they trickle down to eBay:

http://www.t3gear.com/t3-tora-bora-back-pack/

Appears to be a stripped-down trizip bag, but with a worrisome omission of front compression.

Uses non-waterproof zippers, but they at least appear to be good #10s

This one is on some kind of updated ALICE frame, but it doesn't appear to be either the Tactical Tailor or TAG version judging from the flat crossmembers. Possibly LBT?

The belt and shoulder straps seem to share a lot of DNA with the now discontinued TAG ALICE stuff, I wouldn't be surprised if they manufactured these for T3.

As evidenced by the T3 homepage, the belt is both ALICE and MOLLE compatible, the version on their site ships with a Down East frame. If more ALICE upgrade makers built their belts this way there would be a lot more good MOLLE retrofit options.

Due to the lack of mention I think it is safe to say this design is not under license from Mystery Ranch. Since I do not believe the trizip is patented it is basically fair game, but it is still a bold move in a segment of the industry traditionally quite sensitive to IP and reputation in general.

The one real difference I spy between this design and a Mystery Ranch is the addition of a zipper pull at the bottom of the vertical zipper, allowing access to the bottom of the pack without opening the whole front.


I have no time table on such a prediction, but it certainly seems likely that this form of pack opening will continue to spread until someday it may even be considered a normal sight.

eBay find: Gregory External Frame

The only specimen I've ever seen, an external pack frame that I assume was not purpose built for a pack bag, but I'm assuming is ALICE compatible.

Probably most similar to a Mystery Ranch NICE frame as a compact, flat pack-board with modern internal frame suspension on it.

Very complex design typical of Gregory, but without some of the details you'll find on many of Gregory's tactical offerings. Still has the usual plastic external hipbelt stiffener and grippy lumbar pad. Appears to be for an Israeli contract?

It appears the hard plastic used as part of the structure is vulnerable to cracking.

eBay find: Crazy ALICE modification

Found this on eBay awhile ago, can't remember if it even said what company made this.

While it looks purpose-built to me it could be adapted from another pack system. It adds a redundant frame that seems to give an extra inch in frame height as well as some increased belt stability. The shoulder straps and lumbar pad give almost full pack padding, and the system attempts to use load lifters but I doubt the frame is tall enough to utilize them unless the user is quite short.

Very curious about the story behind this, will update if further research uncovers anything.